Kava & kava kava

[John Lynch]

Then /k/ occurs in a whole range of Polynesian languages. POLLEX lists the
following with the specific meaning 'kava', though there are others with
related meanings: Tuvaluan, East Futuna, East Uvea, Emae, Ifira-Mele,
Marquesan, Niuean, Rarotongan, Tikopia, Tuamotuan, West Futuna.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Rader [mailto:jrader at Merriam-Webster.com]
Sent: Thursday, 12 September 2002 3:11 a.m.
To: AUSTRONESIAN LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS
Subject: Kava & kava kava


Dear AN-LANGers--

I am aware that <kava> is general Polynesian, with some
languages dropping the [k]--but aside from Tongan, from which the
word may first have been recorded in English, in what other
languages does the specific form <kava> occur?  And what is the
significance of reduplicated <kava kava>?  Is it possible in some
languages alongside <kava> and not in others?

Thanks, as usual--


Jim Rader
Etymology Editor
Merriam-Webster, Inc.
47 Federal St., P.O. Box 281
Springfield MA 01102
http://www.merriamwebster.com